WildHBcommunity:Vanek Watch is in Full Effect
The News out of Long Island is Thomas Vanek Declines Long Term Extension
The news today comes as very little surprise to be quite honest as superstar winger Thomas Vanek has been quite clear about his intention to decide his future in July not during the season. For the Islanders I do not believe that all is lost by any means despite giving significant assets to the Sabres for what will most likely be just a couple months of Vanek on Long Island.
Islanders general manager Garth Snow has been a documented protagonist of the State of Hockey, this home run swing on a shot to steal Vanek away from the Wild is just the latest in a long list of players with ties to Minnesota. Snow despite not achieving a long term deal with Vanek, may just come out ahead in the totality of what is eventually the completion of the deal. To acquire Vanek, Snow sent fan favorite winger Matthew Moulson and a conditional 1st round pick in 2014 and 2nd round pick in 2015 to the Sabres.
I contend that Moulson who has been a productive winger and had stated his desire to stay on Long Island, will be a player that reaps the rewards of free agency getting probably more money and years than is warranted by his padded production. I dont mean to disrespect Moulson or discount his talent but I don't believe he is near as valuable as Vanek. Also I don't believe Moulson will provide the caliber of return as strictly a rental player at the deadline that Vanek will.
There is almost no doubt that Vanek and Moulson are both dealt at the deadline by their current teams. Vanek most certainly will create an arms race of prospects and assets EVEN as a rental to Western Conference teams looking to load up in the crazy tight playoff picture. Moulson I see as having his primary suitors in the Eastern Conference which has been sluggish this year in general. If Snow plays this right he can turn this entire situation into a positive for himself and the Islanders.
Bare minimum Snow swung for the fences with a gutsy trade trying to spark a franchise stuck in the mid despite having a ton of talent. Vanek played with supremely talented line mates John Tavares and Kyle Okposo which is about a hard sell competitive wise a line as any suitor could have provided and they have been very productive. In the end it is clear that Vanek was destined to be either traded at the deadline or held onto with the risk of no return by the Islanders as he never wavered from his wanting to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Worst Kept Secret in the NHL
Wild fans who have kept the faith still have Vanek plugged into a line centered by Mikael Granlund aka Finnish Jesus with Jason Pominville on the other wing for the 2014-15 season and beyond. Vanek to Minnesota rumors aren't just fanatic spouting off because a player has loose ties to the area. Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has proven time and again that his long view is always heavily involved in moves made in the present.
When the trade deadline deal was announced last year between the Wild and Sabres, the return for Buffalo seemed to indicate that Vanek was the player that would be headed back to the Wild. Instead Pominville the captain of the Sabres was acquired for Matt Hackett, Johan Larsson, a 2013 1st round pick, and 2014 2nd round pick. The return was described as an over payment and the reaction was harsh towards the trade in general.
Given some time to digest what had just occurred it seemed to come back into focus what Fletcher was doing. Just as he had added pieces to the puzzle for the Wild to draw Zach Parise and Ryan Suter via free agency, the acquisition of Pominville and subsequently long term extension before he hit unrestricted free agency in the summer has a lot to do with Vanek. Pominville is so good at being unnoticed for his overall game, but Vanek having played on a line with him is very aware what he brings to the table every game.
Lots of space and opportunity for Vanek to not end up in a Wild jersey and of course but today's news only improves the chance of him returning to Minnesota via free agency in July.
Vanek Watch is in full effect here in the State of Hockey!
Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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